GasBuddy News Article

DailyTech
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Dealerships don't want to spend more on tools needed to service the Volts since sales for most are down.

Select Chevrolet dealerships around the U.S. are ditching the Volt after General Motors (GM) hiked up the price of tools to service the vehicle.

Last year, dealerships spent $1,800 to $2,800 on tools that are required to service each Volt plug-in hybrid. However, GM has raised the price of these tools to $5,100. The reason? A battery-repowering tool that removes and ships sections of the Volt's huge 435-pound battery for repair instead of shipping the whole thing costs dealerships about $4,735. This makes up the bulk of the tool costs while a few others are needed as well.

Due to this price hike, some dealerships have decided to stop selling the Volt altogether. Some say their overal

And for consumers, the Volt will probably always have to be repaired only at a dealership. That means you won't get a lower repair estimate at a local garage and have to suffer with higher repair costs.

We are just starting to see cracks in the infrastructure for EVs and hybrids especially when it comes to servicing or replacing those huge batteries. Until there is a radical improvement in battery technology, the interim marketing strategy may be to shift to natural gas powered vehicles with the ability to switch to gasoline when necessary.

This is what happens when hasty decisions are made without the due dilligence, planning, thinking ahead, and careful thought. A SIGN of the TIMES and hopefully a WAKEUP CALL to the morons who continue to support nonsensical ideas.